Quality Circle-Problem Solving Steps

              In Quality circle problem solving is used as a main process to achieve its objectives.
Members creativity is tapped to solve their day-to-day work related problems. It is through this
process they get become cohesive team and their organizational ownership get developed. Hence it
is necessary that the group member should understand this process very clearly. This small article
attempts to explain the 12 step process.
1)      Identification of work related problem
Method:
a)      Generate a list of problem using Brainstorming
b)      Prioritise problems using A, B, C analysis
2)      Selection of problem (from A list)
Method:
a)     Pareto Analysis or Rating based on past data
b)      Register the selected problem with coordinator
3)     Defining the Problem
Method:
Flow Diagram
4)      Analyse the problem
Method:
Data Collection of problem on all possible aspects
5)     Identification of causes
Method:
Brainstorming and Cause and Effect diagram
6)     Finding the root causes
Method:
Identifying the main relevant causes in Cause and Effect diagram by data collection and discussion
7)     Data Analysis
Method:
a)      Using techniques like bar, pie, areal graph, histogram, stratification, scatters diagram etc
b)      Why-Why analysis
8)      Developing solution
Method:
Brainstorming
9)      Foreseeing the probable resistance
Method:
Brainstorming
a)      Identifying the probable constraints and finding ways to overcome them.
b)      Make a presentation to all involved employees to explain the solution selected
i.e. Departmental head, facilitator, other officials and non members involved with implementation.
c)      Discuss and evolve a system of implementation.
10) Trial implementation and checking performance.
Method:
a)      Data collection after implementation
b)      Comparison of old and new data with Pareto, Histogram, and Control charts
c)      Watch process trend
d)      Analyse the results.
e)      Discuss and incorporate the changes needed
11)  Regular implementation
Method:
Once validity is checked and improvement observed with data regular implementation can be done
12)  Follow-up and review
Method:
a)      Implement evaluation procedure, use control charts have six monthly reports for evaluation
b)      Make modification if required